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Community does well ‘Balloon’ water tower Town Crier in safe-city rankings work nears completion Friday, July 31, 2015 Volume 1, Issue 13 Est. 2015
Waste Collection Day set Aug. 1 in St. Stephen
The city of St. Stephen will host a household hazardous waste collection day from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 at St. Stephen City Hall, 2 6th Ave. SE. For more information, contact Stearns County Environmental Services at 1-800-450-0852 or 320-656-3613.
Don’t forget to register for Bluegrass tickets
The Newsleaders has a limited amount of FREE one-day tickets to the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Fest, a fourday music and camping festival Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 6-9 at El Rancho Manana, Richmond. For tickets, please email news@thenewsleaders.com with your name, phone number, city and amount of tickets requested or like the Newsleaders on Facebook by noon Monday, Aug. 3. Your name will be placed in a drawing and winners will be notified via email.
Police available for National Night Out
Neighborhoods throughout Sauk Rapids are encouraged to spend an evening outside with neighbors during National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The event is intended to promote involvement in police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Sauk Rapids police are available to stop by if a neighborhood requests it for their celebration. Police can be contacted at 320-251-9451.
Rice police encourage celebrating National Night Out on Aug. 4
On Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 6-8 p.m., the Rice Police Department is encouraging neighborhoods throughout the city to lock their doors and spend an evening outside with neighbors, Rice police and firefighters at the Lions Community Park. National Night Out is intended to promote involvement in police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
CentraCare talks Aug. 4 on getting your bell rung
Project BrainSafe, a community concussion awareness initiative, invites everyone to a one-day conference from 7:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the CentraCare Health Plaza Windfeldt Room, St. Cloud. Ben Utecht, a native Minnesotan and former NFL tight end and Super Bowl champion with the Indianapolis Colts, will speak about his experience of being forced into retirement after suffering his fifth diagnosed concussion. For more information, visit thenewsleaders. com and click on July 31 Criers.
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Sauk Rapids ranked number 35 in a list of the safest of 129 Minnesota cities as rated by ValuePenguin, an insurance company. Among cities in the medium-sized-town category, Sauk Rapids ranked eighth. Of the 129 cities, Hibbing was named the safest city in the state, with Cold Spring second and St. Joseph third. The ratings staff gave commentaries only for the top five cities. This is what they had say to about Cold Spring and St. Joseph:
Cold Spring
“The least populous among our top five, Cold Spring’s second-place finish is due to its lack of violent crimes, with just
one. The city’s average home value, $149,945, is actually 15 percent less than the state’s average. Locals here have much to take pride in beyond their safety record. They have a strong argument to make that they’re the granite capital of the world, plus their award-winning brewery dates back to 1874.”
St. Joseph
“Just 10 miles northeast of Cold Spring, St. Joseph ranks fourth despite reporting 40 property crimes in 2013. The city’s seven-officer police department stresses the importance of community policing. The city has long been affected by one mysterious (unsolved) violent crime: the 1989 abduction of then-11-year-old Jacob Wetterling.” Safe-city • page 3
photo by Logan Gruber
Sauk Rapids Director of Public Works Pete Eckhoff says work on the water tower is less than one week away from being finished. Contractors had to order extra red paint, which took a few days to come in. While the colors on the tower might look a bit different, the city says the colors are basically the same, just not as faded as the older colors. Craig Nelson, director of utilities, also said some other internal work remains to be done, such as chlorinating the inside and taking bacteria samples. The tower should be completely finished by around Thursday, Aug. 6.
Park memorial for Levi Popp set for Aug. 2 A memorial for Levi Popp will be revealed during a ceremony in Royalton at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. Popp 2. The public is invited to attend. Popp, the son of Ashley and Lee Popp of Rice, is the 2-year-
old boy who drowned in a yard pool June 8 in Sartell. The memorial is a play ship dubbed the “Ahoy Matey” that will be a permanent part of the splash park located at 1014 Plattewood Drive in Royalton, a few blocks east of the Treasure City store. The ship is called “Ahoy Matey” because Levi loved stories of pirates and often called others “Matey.” The 25-foot-
long playground pirate ship is full of swings, slides and more. There is a 4-foot anchor that will hold the memorial plaque in front of the ship. The ship was made possible partly because of the following companies: Plants and Things USA, Northside Welding and Benton Trophy. “Our son, Levi, was a fullspirited kid with an unreal imagination, always ready for
an adventure,” said his mother Ashley. “His love for pirates, swords and adventure will live on through all the children who come to visit the ship. Their imagination will soar aboard the Matey. As parents to this special little boy, we hope the City of Royalton and all who visit the ship will love the new addition to the splash park in honor of our son, Levi Popp.”
‘The Wall’ comes to Benton County Fair by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
In four days, The Wall that Heals will arrive in Sauk Rapids for the Benton County Fair. The wall is a 250-foot traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial which is located in Washington, D.C. It was originally unveiled on Veterans’ Day, 1996, and was designed to travel around the United States, bringing the Vietnam memorial to communities throughout the country. Throughout the years, the wall has visited more than 400 cities and towns, allowing thousands of veterans the ability to visit the wall near their own homes. The wall will arrive in the city on Tuesday, Aug. 4, coming over the Sauk Rapids bridge into downtown around 11:30 a.m., then heading down Benton Drive toward Wall • page 3
photo courtesy of John Turner and the U.S. Air Force
Senior Airman Anthony Bumbulsky (left) and Airman First Class Brian Kim, both 819th Red Horse Squadron structural apprentices, level a panel as they assemble The Wall that Heals at Elks Riverside Park in Great Falls, Mont. The 250-foot-wide display is a halfscale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Constructed from aluminum, the 24 panels list more than 58,200 names of American service members killed or missing during the Vietnam War.
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2 Two Sauk Rapids-Rice students were recently named to the spring dean’s list at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. They are the following: Katie Frericks, St. Cloud, and Kayley Lain, Sauk Rapids. Students must attain a minimum 3.5 grade-point average to qualify for this honor. David Flynn, Sauk Rapids, has been named to the spring dean’s list at the University of Dallas, Irving, Texas. Students must attain a minimum 3.5 grade-point average to qualify for this honor. Flynn is majoring in theology. Two Sauk Rapids-Rice students were recently named to the spring dean’s list at Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. They are the following: Elizabeth Jolkovsky, St. Cloud, a senior majoring in liberal arts, and Brady Lain, Sauk Rapids, a freshman majoring in business. Students must attain a minimum 3.5 grade-point average to
qualify for this honor. Cole Peters, Sartell, was recently named to the president’s list at Pine Technical and Community College, Pine City, Minn. Students must attain a 4.0 grade-point average to qualify for this honor. State Rep. Tim O’Driscoll, Sartell, was one of 28 state lawmakers recently named Legislators of Distinction by the League of Minnesota Cities. The honor recognizes legislators for specific actions that aided efforts of Minnesota cities during the past year’s legislative session. Legislators of Distinction are approved annually by the League’s Board of Directors to recognize that in order to successfully serve shared constituents, state and city officials must work together to meet the unique needs of rural, suburban and urban residents all across Minnesota. To be eligible for the Legislator of Distinction honor, legislators must achieve one or more of
Community Calendar
Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders. com. Friday, July 31 Brat sale, sponsored by St. Joseph Y2K Lions with profits donated to St. Joseph Food Shelf, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 1st Ave. NW, St. Joseph. 320-363-8825. Summer Watercolor Painting with Shayann Hoffer, for teens and adults, 2:30-4 p.m., Waite Park Public Library, 253 5th Ave. N. Registration required. 320-253-9359. Parkinson’s Tae Guk Kwan Do, 3-4 p.m., Independent Lifestyles, Inc., 215 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-267-7717. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2. Conversation Circles, for all non-native English speakers, 10-11 a.m., St. Cloud Public Library, 1300 W. St. Germain. 320-650-2500. Saturday, Aug. 1 Take a Day OFF (Outdoor Family Fun) on the Mississippi River, Mississippi Park, 41300 CR 1, Rice. stearns@public.govdelivery.com. VA Summer Games, 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. opening ceremonies, 10 a.m. game begin, St. Cloud VA, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud.
320-252-1670. Rise Above Seizures Walk, check in 9 a.m., Lake George municipal complex, 1101 7th St. S., St. Cloud. efmn.org. Central Minnesota Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1480 10th Ave. NE, Sauk Rapids. 320-251-2498. Brat sale, sponsored by St. Joseph Y2K Lions with profits donated to St. Joseph Food Shelf, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 1st Ave. NW, St. Joseph. 320-363-8825. Living History: Meet the Lindberghs, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, 1620 Lindbergh Drive S., Little Falls. 320616-5421. lindbergh@mnhs.org. Benton County Historical Society, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 1st St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. John’s Bible pages on display, now through mid-December, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Hill Museum and Monastic Library, St. John’s University, 2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville. 320-363-3351. 320-3633514. Monday, Aug. 3 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 1st St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., American Legion, 17 2nd Ave. N., Waite Park.
Calendar • page 7
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the following criteria: be generally and reasonably accessible to League representatives, seek input on issues of importance to cities, listen to League concerns and be receptive to Leagueprovided information on issues, sponsor and/or support League initiatives, speak out on behalf of the interest of cities and/or work to demonstrate the importance of partnership between the state and cities. O’Driscoll was cited specifically for addressing issues brought before the Pension Commission, including the need for a 2016 contribution increase, modifying the contribution stabilizer criteria per League policy, and assuring a merger of PERA with a local plan was actuarially structured to prevent cost shifts. Recipients of the recognition received a letter of appreciation and a certificate. Additionally, a copy of the Legislator of Distinction acknowledgement letter was sent to the mayor of each city in the district of each award winner.
photo by Jennifer Davis
Stephen Davis, 12, (left to right) Simon Davis, 10, and Micah Davis, 8, were the only St. Cloud YMCA Gator Swim Team swimmers from Sauk Rapids to compete in a three-day USA Regional Swim Meet at the University of Minnesota. Stephen swam the 50-meter freestyle. Simon qualified for state in the 50-meter freestyle, took seventh-place in the 50-meter breaststroke, seventh-place in the 200-meter freestyle, fourth-place in the 200-meter individual medley, fourth-place in the 100-meter freestyle and sixth-place in the 100-meter breaststroke. Micah won the high points award for boys 8-years-old and under, and took first-place in the 50-meter freestyle, 50-meter backstroke, 50-meter breaststroke, 100-meter freestyle and 50-meter butterfly. Micah also took fifth-place in the 200-meter freestyle. Micah would have qualified for state, but those in the 8-yearold and younger age bracket do not go on to compete at the state level.
Blotter
If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sauk Rapids Police Department at 320-251-9451 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301 or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for crimes.
after stating his bicycle had been stolen outside a local store. A description of both the suspect and the bike were provided. The investigation is ongoing. 6:30 p.m. Medical. 1st Avenue N. Police assisted a female who had been drinking heavily and vomiting. She was transported to detox by the Gold Cross for further assistance.
July 5 12:14 a.m. Fireworks. 10th Avenue NE. Police responded to a call from a male complainant who stated illegal fireworks were being set off near his apartment. Authorities arrived on the scene but did not see any debris or damage caused by fireworks. Police sat in the area for some time but observed nothing unusual. 8:47 a.m. Alarm. 13th Street N. Police were dispatched in regards to a fire alarm. Upon arrival, they discovered it was a false alarm. No further action was taken.
July 8 1:57 a.m. Detox. Benton Drive N. Police responded to a report of an intoxicated male. On arrival, authorities secured the intoxicated male and he was taken to detox for further treatment.
July 6 Open door. 2nd Avenue N. After a severe thunderstorm, police observed the car wash door of a gas station standing open. Police pulled the door down and secured the building. July 7 3:53 p.m. Theft. Benton Drive S. A complainant called the police
July 9 2:10 a.m. Public assist. 1st Street S./River Avenue S. A male approached a police squad car, stating he was lost after being dropped off in the downtown St. Cloud area. He was transported to his residence via police transportation. 3:48 a.m. Domestic disturbance. 2nd Avenue N. An anonymous caller reported a domestic disturbance had occurred between two males and a female. Upon arrival, police found one of the males to be bleeding heavily from the nose. He stated he had been attacked by a random passerby. None of the involved parties would provide any additional information. One of the male suspect’s mother stated her son was
assaulted during a drug deal. Police observed the scene for a few hours but observed no further activity. July 10 6:56 p.m. Animal complaint. Benton Drive N. Complainant stated dog was inside of a vehicle with no windows rolled down. Upon arrival, police could not locate the vehicle. 7:15 a.m. Search warrant. 13th Street. Police assisted the Violent Offender Task Force in executing a search warrant for the listed address. July 11 3:33 a.m. Traffic arrest. 11th Street N./13th Avenue N. Police observed a vehicle driving in the opposite lane of traffic. The vehicle was stopped after the two male suspects in the car were observed taking mail from mailboxes. Both suspects were arrested as they had warrants out for their respective arrests. They were subsequently transported to both the Stearns and Benton County jails. 6:20 a.m. Suspicious activity. Summit Avenue S. Complainant reported a male was in his yard, seemingly suffering from some kind of medical condition. When police arrived, they found the male who was severely impaired by meth per his admission. The Gold Cross arrived and transported the male to the appropriate facility.
Published each Friday by Von Meyer Publishing Inc. Publisher/Owner Janelle Von Pinnon Editor: Dennis Dalman Sales Director: Julie Kemper Admin. Assist.: Cady Sehnert
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Newsleader staff members have the responsibility to report news fairly and accurately and are accountable to the public. Readers who feel we’ve fallen short of these standards are urged to call the Newsleader office at 363-7741. If matters cannot be resolved locally, readers are encouraged to take complaints to the Minnesota News Council, an independent agency designed to improve relationships between the public and the media and resolve conflicts. The council office may be reached at 612-341-9357.
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Wall
Safe-city
from front page
from front page
the main entrance to the Benton County Fair. The wall is expected to arrive at the fairgrounds around 11:45 a.m. An opening ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at the fairgrounds. The wall will be open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 5-9 during the fair. A closing ceremony at the wall will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9.
The ratings of Minnesota cities by ValuePenguin were based on the latest crime statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Both violent crimes and property crimes were added to ValuePenguin’s rating system, which assigned points from 0 to 4,000, with the safest cities having the lower number of points. Hibbing, the safest city, had a point total of 55. Sauk Rapids scored 510. Cold Spring’s rating was 119, St Joseph’s 166. Of the 129 cities rated, St. Paul and Minneapolis were on the very bottom of the list. St. Paul’s score was 2,857; the Minneapolis score was 3,934. Other central Minnesota cities that made the list are St. Cloud, number 120 with a score of 1,860; and Waite Park, number 127 with a score of 2,670. The ValuePenguin analysis rated the 129 cities also by category: large cities, medium cities, small cities. Sartell ranked fifth among the 10 safest cities in the medium-sized city category, and Sauk Rapids ranked eighth in that category. St. Joseph ranked second of the top 10 in the small-town category.
photo courtesy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
The semi which carries The Wall that Heals also has panels on the side which open to become a mobile education center. Information cases display photos of service members whose names are found on the wall, along with letters and memorabilia left at the wall in D.C. The displays also include a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the conflict in Vietnam.
Frank retires from Public Works department photo by Logan Gruber
Harlen Frank of the Sauk Rapids Public Works Department is retiring after 38 years. He was recognized at the most recent city council meeting. “Thirty-eight years is a long time to get called in the middle of the night to plow snow,” said Sauk Rapids Director of Public Works Pete Eckhoff as he presented Frank with his plaque. Pictured (left to right) are Frank, Eckhoff and Mayor Brad Gunderson. City Administrator Ross Olson looks on.
Fees for property-maintenance ordinance set by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
At the July 27 Sauk Rapids City Council meeting, the council voted to set the fees for the property-maintenance ordinance that has been discussed recently. Fees will be set at $100 for the first violation, $300 for the second violation and $600 for the third violation. Repeat offenders within two years will receive a $600 fine. The fee to appeal the citations is set at $100. Fees would only be applied after two letters have been sent. The first letter would arrive, and a resident would have 30 days to contact staff to clean up the property. If that resident hasn’t contacted staff within 30 days, a second letter would be sent. The resident would have two weeks to respond to the second letter. If the resident still hasn’t responded, then he or she would receive a citation and be assessed their first
fine. A citation would arrive every two weeks if the city isn’t contacted by the homeowner, up to a total of three citations. After that point, the city would then take the resident to court. During the May 26 city council meeting, Sauk Rapids Police Chief Perry Beise said only twice in seven years has the city taken someone to court over an issue like this. According to Sauk Rapids Community Development Director Todd Schultz there are currently seven property owners who have received letters. All seven are working on their issues with the city. Schultz said most properties were identified by resident complaints submitted to the city. “It’s never been that staff have been going out and identifying properties,” Schultz said. The council has clarified in the past that the ordinance is not just about grass; it’s about problem properties, with many issues such as junk vehicles
and other items in the yards. minutes may be viewed at the Schultz said the properties with Government Center or online at problems currently are mostly ci.sauk-rapids.mn.us. those with vehicles in inappropriate locations or with issues with the structures on the property. A public hearing was held during this council meeting, but no residents wished to address the council on the fee issue. Regular city council meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month in the council chambers at the Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N., except for the Aug. 10 meeting, which has been cancelled. These meetings are open to the public, and a public hearing for any topic a citizen might want to speak about before the council is held near the beginning of every meeting. The meetings are also broadcast live on the city’s cable access channel, Charter Channel 181. Agendas and meeting
July 27th - Aug. 8th
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Cats - 28 Rabbits - 4
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Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, July 31, 2015
Tri-City Paving awarded 18th street project by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
At their July 27 meeting, the Sauk Rapids City Council recently awarded the contract for the 18th Street overlay project to Tri-City Paving of Little Falls. Tri-City was the low-bid, at a rate of $323,905.16. The total estimated cost of the project is $388,800. Besides the construction costs for TriCity Paving, engineering costs total $39,000, legal and administrative fees total $3,200, and a contingency fund has been set aside in the amount of $22,700. The project was initially estimated to cost $412,000. After a feasibility study was
conducted and a public hearing was held, the council approved the search for bids to begin May 26. The project will extend from Hwy. 15 in the west to 9th Avenue N. in the east. The pavement on 18th Street is about 20 years old, according to the feasibility study. Overlay work typically involves the milling and removal of two inches of existing asphalt. A fresh layer of asphalt is then placed onto the roadway, which usually will also receive new lane markings. Pedestrian sidewalk ramps located on the road will be replaced if they are not in compliance with Americans with Disability Act standards.
contributed image
Top: This graphic highlights 18th Street N, from Hwy. 15 to 9th Avenue N. photo by Logan Gruber
Right: The project will include the milling and removal of two inches of existing asphalt on 18th Street N. Certain parts of the street have deteriorated quite a bit, and the maintenance plan for this street was moved up.
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Friday, July 31, 2015
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Rice Food Shelf depends upon donations, generosity
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
If it weren’t for the openhearted generosity of the people, churches and businesses of Rice, many families would be going to bed most nights hungry. About 70 families in Rice and rural Rice are served by the Rice Area Food Shelf every month. “The need is there, and we see we’re helping people,” said Peggy Herman, food-shelf coordinator. “It’s wonderful when we know people need it and we can help them out.” Herman, her husband John and Rice resident Sherry Kapsner are the three cocoordinators of the service. They’ve been doing that hard job for 15 years, and they will continue to do it because they see the constant, growing need to help hurting families secure food for their tables. “We are a non-profit,” Herman said, “so all of our funding comes through donations. Donations totally support us. We get wonderful support from people, from the four area churches, from local businesses and from the city. The city provides space for our distribution center (the “old” Village Hall on main street). There is no cost to us for using that space. The city also provides the electricity for operation of the freezer and refrigeraFood Shelf • page 7
photos by Dennis Dalman
Left: Volunteers Tom Reberg of Sauk Rapids (left) and John Herman of Rice pack boxes ready to be distributed from the Rice Area Food Shelf. Right: Without volunteers, the Rice Area Food Shelf would not exist. From left to right (front row) are Evelyn Kirchner, Debbie Herman, Peggy Herman and Lucille Hovland; and (back row) Gary Kapsner, Sherry Kapsner, Leah Saldana, Beth Roles and Mary Bulthuis. All of these volunteers are Rice residents, except for Roles, who lives in St. Cloud. Not pictured is Ari Nemeth, 11-year-old granddaughter of Peggy Herman.
Three officers honored for their service
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photo by Logan Gruber
Three Sauk Rapids police officers were honored at the most recent city council meeting. Officers Tim Sigler and Jeremy Welsh were honored for 15 years of dedicated service, while officer Matthew Bosma was honored for 10 years of service. Sigler is also the school liaison for the department. Pictured (left to right) are Bosma, Chief Perry Beise, Sigler and Mayor Brad Gunderson. Welsh was not present. City Attorney Adam Ripple looks on.
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Our View
Prison-sentencing policies long overdue for change The time for prison-sentencing reform is long overdue. Too many people have received ludicrously large sentences for small crimes, most especially for the possession of drugs. Many years ago, in the 1960s, long before marijuana was legalized or de-criminalized to a degree, some users of pot – especially in Texas – were sentenced to up to 20year prison terms, which was an absolute outrage that most people didn’t seem to care about. Now, because of mandatory sentencing guidelines and other factors, drug users are still being sentenced to long stretches of prison time more appropriate for rapists and killers. Make no mistake: Drugs are a scourge in this and other countries, especially harder drugs like meth and heroin. The vicious drug cartels in Mexico, Colombia and elsewhere feed off of addicts and even “recreational” drug users. Where drugs exist, misery, madness, prostitution and crimes follow. And the more illegal the drug, the more money it fetches to the fiends who harvest, make and peddle those drugs, and the more families are shredded and destroyed. The surest way to stop the misery and the prison sentences is for everybody to just stop doing drugs, or as former First Lady Nancy Reagan famously said, “Just say no!” But, realistically, that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Still, people who get caught selling and doing drugs should absolutely not get off the hook legally. They should be held accountable by the legal system, but the question is how? Most everyone would likely agree drug users and sellers should get some kind of punishment along with mandated treatment. For first-offenders, probably the best solution is to give them some jail time, then a probationary period during which they must participate in drug treatment and successfully complete those programs. If they don’t, they will be re-arrested and have to do more jail – or prison – time. That is how the law currently deals with those convicted of alcohol offenses. Many programs to rehabilitate offenders have been cut. In some places, such programs literally do not exist. To help offenders and their families, such programs must be available at full funding. According to Change.org, this country spent $80 billion in 2010 to pay for the prison costs of 2.3 million inmates. Since some prisons have been privatized, they’ve become money-making propositions for profits generated by the incarceration of people. It’s a disturbing trend, to say the least. The U.S. Congress is pondering passage of the Smarter Sentencing Act of 2015, which has strong bipartisan support. It would, among other measures, reduce the minimum sentencing requirements for some drug offenses. It would also help reduce racial disparities in sentencing. Just as important, it would save money by reducing prison populations, which are now three times what they were in 1991. Any saved money could be used for hugely needed rehabilitation programs. Let your legislators know you support the Smarter Sentencing Act.
Sauk Rapids-Rice • Sartell • St. Joseph
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The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Opinion Trump just latest clown in three-ring circus Like all crazy uncles, Donald Trump should come with a muzzle. The trouble with Trump is he’s not just the crazy uncle at the dinner table; he’s the nutty uncle running amok through the house, room to room, up and down the stairs, shouting nonsense, starting fires, alarming neighbors. Most other Republican candidates, with good reason, are disgusted by Trump’s outrageous assertions – that Sen. John McCain is not a war hero because he was captured; that Mexico sends us druggies, rapists, killers; that an impenetrable wall must be built between Mexico and the United States, and Mexico – Trump asserts – will have to pay for the wall; that presidential candidate, Rick Perry of Texas, recently started wearing glasses in order to look intelligent. Republican candidates should not be too surprised, however, by Trump’s loud-mouthed antics. His cartoon comments and silly assertions are very similar to the ones used in recent years by other extremists – other crazy uncles and aunts – who gathered at the Republican Party’s Tea Party table: Herman Cain, Sarah Palin, Ted Cruz, Michele Bachmann, to name just four. Whether those radicals were demonizing President Obama, demeaning women or cooking up the most ridiculous assertions, other Republicans let them get away with their inflammatory words and their pushy tactics (like Cruz’s efforts to shut down the government). They were afraid to repudiate the extremists’ offensive diatribes for fear they themselves would be “primaried” – that is, challenged by the Tea Party factions in their legislative districts, thus possibly ending their political careers. As a result of those threats real and im-
Dennis Dalman Editor plied, a certain bullying coercion set in as the right-wing extremists became ever bolder, applying “political purity” tests as they attempted to dominate the entire Republican Party. Their radical agenda went largely unchallenged, and the chickens came home to roost, making a future presidential win less and less likely. Yes, there was a Republican sweep in the last off-year elections (thanks in large part to gerrymandered Republican districts). Obama, however, was re-elected handily, thank goodness. And now, is it any wonder Trump – the spoiled-brat billionaire, the wannabe president – has stolen the spotlight, sullied the party image and is enjoying a surge in popularity because of his big-mouth grandstanding? In some respects, the Republican Party, because it has long caved in to crazies, has let itself in for this Trump card. The Donald’s rise in the polls is not hard to understand. He’s an unrestrained loud-mouth, “entertaining” in his outrageous way, the same way hotair blimp Rush Limbaugh, some claim wrongly, is really “just an entertainer.” Trump is a good example of an unfortunate trend these days: if someone says something utterly outrageous, then it must be true, as if truth can reside only within the most grotesque exaggerations in this Age of Hype. Another reason why Trump seems – to some – to be just what this country
needs is because they foolishly conflate riches with wisdom. How can somebody so smart as to become a billionaire not be a good president? Answer: money smarts are almost diametrically opposed to wise national leadership. That, in a nutshell, is what’s wrong with our democracy right now – too much money, not enough wisdom. Add to that another key to Trump’s surge in the polls: his verbal eruptions – so politically incorrect – are a breath of fresh air to many people who are sick and tired of most politicians’ mealymouthed dissembling on the issues. This is the same factor that gave such a boost to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie – his uncensored rude outbursts that convinced some people how refreshingly truthful he must be, a real tell-itlike-it is man. If the Republicans want to win the White House, they’re going to have to repudiate not just Trump but other crazies who seem to attach themselves to the Party like Velcro strips. Candidates Jeb Bush and John Kasich – both reasonable “old-style” mainstream Republicans, would have a good chance at the Big Prize, but only if the Party can wrest control from the crazy aunts and uncles in its house. If the entrenched extremists wrench the Party any further to the right, away from the mainstream, winning the White House will be all but impossible. Spring housecleaning is longoverdue; the clowns should be swept out from under the Party’s Big-Top Tent. And that includes The Donald. Toxic Trump is just the latest, loudest, most colorful clown in their Three-Ring Circus. Are you listening, my dwindling Republican friends?
Letters to editor
Reader responds to ‘Flo’s gotta go; so does the lizard’ Marge Taylor, Sauk Rapids I laughed so hard while reading your article “Flo’s gotto go; so does the lizard,” I woke my cat up. She doesn’t see me roll on the floor too often. Come on now, Dennis. I like Flo. She’s so creepy she grabs everyone’s attention. She’s like a black widow spider. You may trip over something to grab your remote to mute it. I keep
it not less than one foot away at all times and change the channel so they have a record I hated that particular ad; they do have a way to know what we watch. Don’t forget about the Cialis commercials during dinner. Whoever saw any couple out getting all dreamyeyed taking a bunch of clothes off the wash line together? I want to take my laundry in alone! Is that odd? And why do they always end up sitting
in a bathtub alone? I’ve asked my friends the significance of this, and they oddly don’t know either. It’s not fun to sit in an empty bathtub alone, staring out into space. I just don’t get it. Also, I don’t do nausea and vomiting over these ads. I’m simply too busy grabbing the remote with my floured, food-covered hands as fast as I can to change the channel.
If you believe, pennies from heaven ensure loved ones arrive safely Linda Vouk Midas, Sauk Rapids God gave us our new baby boy, Tom, on a hot, muggy day in July. And as long as he had his thumb and blankie, he was happy. But it wasn’t long before this contented infant began to show a tendency toward mischief. He couldn’t have been much more than 3 when his grandpa’s jackknife went missing. For days we searched, but it was nowhere to be found. Then one morning when Tom and Grandpa were in the barnyard by the stock tank, Tom began digging in the dirt. Soon he produced the prized knife — right where he had buried it. If dogs could bury bones, why couldn’t a boy bury a knife? When we went to our first kindergarten conference, Mrs. Christensen pulled out a shoe box full of matchbox cars. “Do you recognize these?” she asked. With five kids at home, I sure wasn’t keeping track. Fidgety Tom would entertain himself
with one of his tiny cars until the teacher spotted the contraband and took it away. With an almost endless supply of tiny cars at home, who knows how long this might have gone on? Mr. McNeal, Tom’s creative fifthgrade teacher, sent Tom home with an unusual request: “Can you sew a witch’s dress for me?” My Tom in a dress? But I made the dress and hat, and he carried an old kettle with some cow bones he had found in the woods. He was the star in the Halloween play, and I was so proud. Growing up on the farm, Tom learned to work hard: shocking oats, baling hay, cutting and stacking wood, picking rocks from the fields, milking, mowing the lawn and cleaning the barn. His behavior improved in high school, but after religion class he slipped into the bathroom and flushed a roll of toilet paper down the toilet. Needless to say, this created a flood. We told Tom he would have to pay the plumber’s bill, but Father Voigt didn’t accept it.
At age 21 he married Lisa, and they had two boys, Nick and Jake. He was an awesome dad, taking his boys fishing in both winter and summer. He was his sons’ biggest fan, whether it was in wrestling, baseball or football. Unfortunately, at age 35 his fun came to an end. Tom threw himself a birthday party and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning talking with friends. After a weekend filled with activities and celebrating a little too much, he went home, pulled into the garage, plunked an 8-track into his car stereo, and, enjoying the air conditioning in his comfortable car, he nodded off, never to wake again. Aunt Leanne had told us when someone goes to heaven, you’ll begin to find pennies sent by your loved one to let you know he arrived safely. We began to find pennies in the most unusual places — on the closet floor, on the road, on the kitchen floor. But it only works if you believe.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Calendar from page 2 Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, 7th St. N., Sartell. marketmonday.org. Teen Activities, for ages 13 to 17, 6-7:30 p.m., Waite Park Public Library, 253 5th Ave. N. 320-2539359. Rice City Council, 7 p.m., council chambers, City Hall, 205 Main St. E., Rice. 320-393-2280. Sauk Rapids Riverside Lions Club, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s Pour House, 22 2nd Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. eclubhouse.org/sites/srriverside. Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass, concert food will be available prior at 5 p.m., 7 p.m., Discovery Church, 700 18th St. NW, Sauk Rapids. Free. 320-2515767. discoverychurchmn.com. Tuesday, Aug. 4 Benton County Fair, free admission, Fairgrounds, 1410 3rd Ave., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-5649. bentonfairmn.com. Shake Your Sillies Out Storytime, for ages 2 to 8 with registration 30 minutes before the program, 10:15-10:45 a.m., St. Cloud Public Library, 1300 W. St. Germain. 320650-2500. Preschool Storytime, for ages 3 to 6, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Waite Park Public Library, 253 5th Ave. N. 320253-9359. Blood drive, 1-7 p.m., Atonement Lutheran Church, 1144 29th Ave. N., St. Cloud. Central Minnesota Market, 3-5:30 p.m., VA Hospital, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. 320-2512498. 55+ Driver Improvement program (eight-hour first-time course, today and Aug. 5), 5-9 p.m., Apollo High School, 1000 44th Ave N., St. AU T O M O B I L E S / M O T O R C YC L E S WANTED CASH FOR CARS: All Cars/Trucks Wanted. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Any Make/Model. Call For Instant Offer: 1-800-871-9134 (MCN) MOTORCYCLES WANTED: 60’s and 70’s Motorcycles. DEAD OR ALIVE! 920-3710494 (MCN) ANNOUNCEMENTS Horse Sale: Belle Plaine Western Exchange, Belle Plaine, IA. Next Scheduled Sale: Saturday, August 8, 2015. Tack 10:00 a.m., Horses immediately following. Sale 2nd Saturday of every month. Upcoming Sales: September 12 & October 10, 2015. Check out our website for details and sale results: www.westernexchange.com; Info/To Consign: 319444-2320; email: bpwe@netins.net (MCN) MACHINERY/HOUSE MOVING EQUIPMENT AUCTION, MON., AUGUST 3RD, 9:00 A.M. House Moving Equipment: Beams, Blocking, Jacks & Timber; Combines; Systems; Heads; Tractors; Planters; Sprayers; Haying; Wagons; Augers; Tillage; Spreaders; Livestock; Attachments; Vehicles/Trailers; Mowers/Snowblowers; Miscellaneous. Check website daily for new items. www.gilbertsaleyard.com. GILBERT’S SALE YARD, LLC, 641-398-2218. 2 Mi. N. of Floyd, IA on Hwy. 218. Tractor House Internet Bidding Available (MCN) AUTOMOBILES CASH FOR CARS: Any Make, Model or Year. We Pay MORE! Running or Not Sell your Car or Truck TODAY Free Towing! Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3805 (MCN) Cars for Troops! Donate your car and help the military charity of your choice. Fast, free pickup. Tax Deductible. Call Now! 800-9551628 (MCN)
Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com Cloud. 1-888-234-1294. Sauk Rapids HRA Board, 6 p.m., council chambers, Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-2585300. ci.sauk-rapids.mn.us. Musical Games, for ages 7 to 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m., St. Cloud Public Library, 1300 W. St. Germain. 320650-2500. Watab Township Board, 7 p.m., 660 75th St. NW, Sauk Rapids. watabtownship.com. Benton Telecommunications channel 3. Wednesday, Aug. 5 Benton County Fair, free admission, Fairgrounds, 1410 3rd Ave., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-5649. bentonfairmn.com. Blood drive, 2-7 p.m., St. Stephen Catholic Church, 103 Central Ave. S., St. Stephen. Summertime by George! featuring Pamela McNeill, 5-9 p.m., Lake George, 1101 7th St. S., St. Cloud. summertimebygeorge.com. Summer Movies in the Park, showing: Mall Cop 2, 9:30 p.m., Millstream Park, 101 5th Ave. NW, St. Joseph. cityofstjoseph.com. Shake Your Sillies Out Storytime, for ages 2 to 8 with registration 30 minutes before the program, 11-11:30 a.m., St. Cloud Public Library, 1300 W. St. Germain. 320650-2500. 55+ Driver Improvement program (eight-hour first-time course), 5-9 p.m., Apollo High School, 1000 44th Ave N., St. Cloud. The Middle Ages: Intro to Armor and Chainmail, for ages 10 and up, children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult, 6-8 p.m., St. Cloud Public Library, 1300 W. St. Germain. 320-250-6500. Thursday, Aug. 6 Benton County Fair, free admission, Fairgrounds, 1410 3rd Ave., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-5649. bentonfairmn.com. DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-800-2830205 (MCN) FARM RELATED Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ to hunt your land. Call for a Free Base Camp Leasing info packet & Quote. 1-866-309-1507 www. BaseCampLeasing.com (MCN) COMPUTERS & SUPPLIES Computer problems - viruses, lost data, hardware or software issues? Contact Geeks On Site! 24/7 Service. Friendly Repair Experts. Macs and PCs. Call for FREE diagnosis. 1-800-640-7650 (MCN) EMPLOYMENT/HELP WANTED CLASS-A CDL Regional Driver. Good home time. Great pay and benefits. Matching 401k. Bonuses and tax free money. No touch freight. Experience needed. Call Scott 507-437-9905. Apply on-line www.mcfgtl. com (MCN) MAKE $1,000 WEEKLY! Paid in advance! Mailing Brochures at Home! Easy pleasant work. Begin Immediately! Age unimportant! www.HomeProfitsBiz45.com (MCN) PAID IN ADVANCE! MAKE $1000 A WEEK mailing brochures from home! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required. Start Immediately! www.localmailers.net (VOID IN SD, WI) (MCN) WANT TO BUY CASH for sealed, unexpired DIABETIC TEST STRIPS or STOP SMOKING PRODUCTS! Make money and help others! Top prices, free shipping, 24 hr payments and friendly service! Call 1-888-440-4001 or TestStripSearch.com (MCN)
Minnesota Bluegrass and OldTime Music Festival, El Rancho Manana, 27302 Ranch Road, Richmond. 800-635-3037. minnesotabluegrass.org. Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 1st St. NE, Sartell. CentraCare Health Family Farmers’ Market, 2-6 p.m., River East parking lot, CentraCare Health Plaza, 1900 CentraCare Circle, St. Cloud. 320-252-2422. FUMC Summer Concert Series, featuring the band Walter’s Wheelhouse, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1107 Pinecone Road, Sartell. 320-251-0804. fumcscr.org. Sauk Rapids Jaycees, 7 p.m., VFW, 901 N. Benton Dr., Sauk Rapids. srjaycees.weebly.com. Rice Lions Club, 8 p.m., Lions Building, Westside Park, 101 4th St. NW, Rice. Friday, Aug. 7 Benton County Fair, free admission, Fairgrounds, 1410 3rd Ave., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-5649. bentonfairmn.com. Minnesota Bluegrass and OldTime Music Festival, El Rancho Manana, 27302 Ranch Road, Richmond. 800-635-3037. minnesotabluegrass.org. Learn to use the NorthStar Rail, free admission, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., St. Cloud State Miller Center Lobby, St. Cloud. 320-529.4497. ridemetrobus.com. St. Joseph Area Historical Society open, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 1st Ave NW. stjosephhistoricalmn.org. Parkinson’s Tae Guk Kwan Do, 3-4 p.m., Independent Lifestyles, Inc., 215 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-267-7717. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2. ADOPTION A UNIQUE ADOPTIONS, LET US HELP! Personalized Adoption Plans. Financial Assistance, Housing, Relocation and More. Giving the Gift of Life? You Deserve the Best. 1-888-637-8200. 24HR Hotline. (VOID IN IL) (MCN) PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call Us First! Living expenses, Housing, Medical and continued support afterwards. Choose Adoptive Family of Your Choice. Call 24/7. ADOPT CONNECT 1-866-951-1860 (Void in IL & IN) (MCN) HEALTH & MEDICAL VIAGRA 100mg, CIALIS 20mg. 40 tabs +10 FREE, $99 and FREE SHIPPING. 1-888-836-0780 or Metro-Meds.net (MCN) CASH PAID for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! 1 DAY PAYMENT & PREPAID shipping. HIGHEST PRICES! Call 1-888-389-0695. www.cash4diabeticsupplies.com (MCN) TAKE VIAGRA/CIALIS? 40 100mg/20mg Pills, only $99! Get 4 BONUS Pills! Satisfaction or Money Refunded! Call 1-888-7968871 (MCN) LIVING WITH KNEE PAIN? Medicare recipients that suffer with knee pain may qualify for a low or no cost knee brace. Free Shipping. Call now! 855-948-5623 (MCN) ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - $99 FREE Shipping! 100 Percent Guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-800-795-9687 (MCN) Canada Drug Center is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our licensed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 75 percent on all
Food Shelf
7
tor at no cost to us. Without all of that generous support, we would not be here.” On the first Thursday of every full week of the month, food-shelf clients receive one or more boxes of food depending on the size of their families. The boxes contain canned goods, boxed foods, bread, milk and meats. Sometimes, especially in the summer months, there are fresh vegetables available, some of them donated by local at-home gardeners. Most food, however, comes from trucks delivered by Second Harvest Heartland, based in St. Paul, where food can be purchased bulk at cut-rate prices. The food shipments are unloaded off of the truck by some of the 10 volunteers who help every month at the distribution center. Those volunteers also pack the food into cardboard boxes on the days when clients come to the center. The Rice Area Food Shelf coordinators are always eager to accept any non-perishable food items or vegetables
fresh from gardens. The best way to contribute, however, is through cash donations, especially during the month of March, which is Minnesota Foodshare Month. Any money donated is then matched via extra Second Harvest Heartland foodstuffs. The food shelf also receives some commodities via the federal government, mainly canned goods. Those who want to volunteer or to donate money or food items should contact Herman at 320-393-2915 or Kapsner at 320-393-4441. Check donations can be made out to “Rice Area Food Shelf” and sent to P.O. Box 334, Rice, MN 56367. Those who need food should just show up at old Village Hall on Main Street from 3-5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the first full week of the month. The next date will be Aug. 6. They should bring an I.D. to show they live in the Rice area. “We can’t thank people enough for their support,” Herman said. “We and the people who receive the food rely upon those generous donations, and we are so thankful for them.”
FREELANCERS SOUGHT
STEEL BUILDINGS FOR SALE
from page 5
THE NEWSLEADERS seeks freelance writers and photographers to cover town-specific events/meetings/personalities. Freelancers are paid per story/photo. If interested, please email a resume and a few writing/photo samples to janellev@thenewsleaders.com.
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Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
8
photo by Logan Gruber
The alley, which runs from Sixth to Seventh Street N., between Second and Third Avenue N., was never developed; it consists of granite slabs running in a single file about one-foot wide. Some of the slabs are loose and at one point run around a large tree. Neighbors are concerned about people walking into backyards from the alleys, and some possible drug use.
Mayor swears in new police officer
photo by Logan Gruber
Officer Katy Davis was sworn in as the newest Sauk Rapids police officer at the July 27 city council meeting. Davis is originally from the Rochester area. Many members of Davis’ family came to witness her swearing in. Sauk Rapids Police Chief Perry Beise said the department is really excited to have Davis on board. Pictured (left to right) are Davis, Beise and Sauk Rapids Mayor Brad Gunderson.
Police Academy now accepting applications Local police departments are accepting applications for the 2015 Metro Police Academy. Applicants must be 21 or older and must have a crimefree record. The course is free. The eight-week course will begin Sept. 10 and last until Oct. 29. Classes will meet every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. at the St. Cloud Police Department, a total of eight classes. In Police Academies, partici-
pants learn about all phases of law-enforcement work and experience, sometimes firsthand, the many tasks undertaken daily in police work. Topics covered include laws, ethics, investigations, firearms, emergency driving and more. Most graduates of the program express how surprised they were that police work is nothing like what is so often depicted in movies or TV
shows. Those who graduate from the Academy are not qualified to do police work, although they could choose to become volunteer Reserve officers. The purpose of the Police Academy is educational only. For an application, call or go to any local police department. Applications are also available to download from police-department websites.
Come join us for our John Deere Day of Play Event!
Friday, July 31, 2015
Neighbors want alley to be privatized
by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
An alley that runs from Sixth to Seventh Street N., between Second and Third Avenue N., was the subject of some debate at the July 27 Sauk Rapids City Council meeting. The alley was never developed. It consists of granite slabs running in a single file about one-foot wide. Some of the slabs are loose and at one point run around a large tree. According to Laure Rosty, a property owner adjacent to the alley, people walk through the alley and her and her neighbors’ backyards to look at the granite structures and granite home on 3rd Street N. “People used to sit under our apple trees and eat apples . . . We finally just tore them down,” Rosty said in an exclusive Newsleader interview. Rosty also said she and her husband, Jeff Spychala, had seen drug users in the alley. Rosty and Spychala, along with all but one property owner adjacent to the alley, signed a petition and paid a fee to have the city consider reverting the alley from city ownership back to private ownership to prevent people from using it. The property owners who haven’t signed the petition, Rick and Mary Haakonson, have no issue with turning the alley into private property as long as they will still be able to access their garage. The Haakonsons’ garage and driveway are nearly on the property line with their neighbor, and they fear los-
ing access to the backyard if the neighbor were to put up a fence along their driveway and garage. City staff has looked at the issue, and they suggested to the council to return the alley to private ownership. A report prepared for the council stated the granite structures at places stick out into the alley, and there are many loose granite pieces that could hurt someone. Staff also noted there are no city utilities in the alley and there shouldn’t be any future need for utilities. However there are private utilities in place so an easement would need to remain. During the meeting, Sauk Rapids Director of Community Development Todd Schultz said in order to return the property to private ownership, the city only needs to prove the property serves no purpose for the city. “It is a very low standard the city needs to meet to vacate the property,” Schultz noted. There are a number of undeveloped alleyways in the city, Schultz said, and if the city hasn’t developed them already, it probably won’t. The city published the hearing date and time two weeks prior, but there was a feeling more time was needed for residents, such as the Haakonsons, to talk over their options. The city council chose to keep the hearing open and resume public comment on the issue at its Aug. 24 meeting. The regular Aug. 10 city council meeting will not be held.
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